Full Breakdown
Crackdown on Joint Awami Action Committee Supporters in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir
6/7/2026, 9:35:21 PM
Arrests of JAAC Supporters After Ban
On Saturday, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police detained about 72 individuals alleged to be linked to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) within 18 hours of the regional government outlawing the group under anti-terrorism legislation. The operation was presented as a pre-emptive step to prevent a protest march scheduled for June 9. The operation was reported by officials and witnesses.
Background: Demands, Negotiations and Government Stance
JAAC’s 38-point charter seeks subsidised wheat, lower electricity tariffs and expanded political rights. Negotiations last year secured acceptance of 36 points by JAAC representatives, regional officials and Pakistan’s federal government; two points remain unresolved, including the allocation of 12 seats in the AJK legislative assembly for Kashmiri refugees. Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said his administration remains willing to discuss the remaining items, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore to review security. The AJK police chief affirmed that lawful protest would be respected but warned against violence, road blockades and property damage. Police also reported seizure of weapons, communication devices and documents linked to potential unrest.
On-the-Ground Accounts and Conflicting Reports
JAAC rejected the ban and insisted its June 9 march will proceed unless all demands are met. The group alleged that police opened fire, wounding two members. Police, however, claimed armed men fired first after being ordered to stop. No independent verification has been provided, leaving the exact sequence of events unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- "Police urged the public to avoid rumours, cooperate with authorities and stay away from illegal gatherings, adding that roads and markets across the state remained open." — AJK Police spokesperson
- "Peaceful protest and constitutional demands would be respected, but violence, road blockades, damage to property and other unlawful activities would not be tolerated." — AJK Police chief
- "Authorities claimed some of the seized material related to plans that could disrupt public order and encourage unlawful activities." — AJK Police statement
- "Police in Pakistan-administered Kashmir arrested dozens of supporters of a banned organization on Saturday ahead of a planned protest march, according to officials and witnesses." — Official police report
Outlook and Upcoming Protest
Security forces remain on heightened alert ahead of the June 9 march. Ongoing investigations will examine the seized evidence, and officials have warned that any escalation will meet coordinated law-enforcement action. The outcome of dialogue between Rathore’s administration and JAAC will determine whether the remaining demands are settled without further unrest.
